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Post by Bexter on May 6, 2006 6:35:54 GMT -8
 I am really worried about my gerbil.She is only about three months and I got her from my friend who is a gerbil breeder. The other day my mum noticed she was all wet under her tummy.She also said that she nearly fell off her little wooden play thing(which she hasn't done yet at all) When I got home from school she semed quite active but she was still really wet.I don't know if it is to do with the new bedding we changed too or the mineral block or anything. I don't want her to die becuase I love her loads. Please help me if you can. Thanks
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caz
Member
Posts: 6,237
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Post by caz on May 6, 2006 6:51:31 GMT -8
First off - Welcome to the Forum Bexter! ;D What substrate/litter are you using, how is she housed, tank/cage etc.? What bedding are you giving her? I presume she has a water bottle and not a dish? Is she eating, drinking ok? Is she fussing her tummy at all? Is the water bottle leaking and she's got damp bedding? Give us a little more to go on and maybe we can help! Oh, and what's her name!  Caroline |
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Post by pipgerb on May 6, 2006 6:59:56 GMT -8
Ok
the litter we are using at the moment recycled paper bedding from pets at home and also care fresh pet bedding.At first we used sawdust but she kicked it everywhere and my dad got mad(he didn''t want a gerbil in the first place) she lives in a cage.Yes she has a water bottle but sotimes it drips.She is eating fine.She is fussing he tummy yesit looks like she is likcing it a lot.
Her name is Pip and she is a little grey gerbil that is really sweet!
Hope u can help me!
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Post by pipgerb on May 6, 2006 7:13:10 GMT -8
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Post by whitmoregirl on May 6, 2006 9:11:58 GMT -8
How are her teeth? Are her eyes squinty / clogged up? Has there been a drastic change in temperature in her room?
Has she eaten and drunk recently?
Could she have eaten something potentially dangerous (picked paint off a wall / chewed and swallowed plastic)?
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Post by ashgerbil on May 6, 2006 10:06:36 GMT -8
(in addition to what whit and caz have said)... does her butt look messy or anything?? and when you hold her up to your ear, does her chest making a clicking/wheezing sound? and does she have a scent gland tumour (ie, a hard red boil-type thing on the scent gland)? (scent gland tumour is *extremely* unlikely though, due to her young age and the fact that she's female) i can't think of anything else obviously, watch her very closely over the next few hours, if her condition deterioates, then bring her to the vet. oh, and is she eating and drinking ok?? will she accept sunflower seeds from you? anyways, good luck! i hope pip gets better! |
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Post by Bexter on May 6, 2006 10:48:36 GMT -8
She had been chewing plastic so we got rid of the plastic she was chewing.
Aldo I haven't picked her up yet can you give me some tips on how to pick up a gerbil so i can check her teeth and stuff.
She will take sunflower seeds from me theough.
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Post by bexter on May 6, 2006 10:53:06 GMT -8
 :'(I will tell you some stuff Pip does. She loves cabbage but i don't give it to her everyday she is really friendly and active(but has been standing still alot and staying in her fave tube alot latley) She keeps standing on top of her wooden play thing like she is frozen like she does not move at all. It is really really scaring me coz I don't wnat to lose my first gerbil .
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Post by doomgerbiluk on May 6, 2006 12:18:31 GMT -8
The freezing sounds like petit mal.
Try to scoop her up with flat hands from underneath.
When your holding her on oen hand lift her bottom up gently by holding the base of her tail (at her rump) and gently lifting so her weight is still supported by your hand. Check her bum is not stained etc.
Cabbage is very wet and therefore give small amounts only once a week at most or they may upset her tummy.
If she continues to seem ill see a vet.
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Post by pipgerb on May 6, 2006 23:39:08 GMT -8
Thanks doom gerbiluk I will tyr and learn to pick her up.Somthing else wierd happeneed today thoughn when I went to check on her she was at the corner of her cage digging then she lay down flat and rubbed her tummy on the floor several times has this happened to anyone eles's gerbil or it is just mine.It is really wierd.
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Post by doomgerbiluk on May 7, 2006 0:08:32 GMT -8
Gerbils have scent glands on their bellys. She's rubbing her scent on.
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Post by pipgerb on May 7, 2006 0:25:38 GMT -8
Will she just get better if I don't give her cabbage for a little while and just leave her in peace to sleep?
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Post by caitlindawn on May 7, 2006 0:46:27 GMT -8
What's her condition like now? Still wet? Have you checked her rear end? give us as much information on her state so that we can help you to the best of our ability. I would lay off the cabbage as it isn't doing much for her, unless she isn't drinking and needs the liquids from the cabbage. To pick her up, try the scooping with two hands. If that doesn't work, get a tube and let her climb into that, then slowly tip it into you hand. Don't really hold onto her, just let her roam your hands and arms. Like doom said, gently lift her rear end up by the base of her tale (support her front end of the body with your other hand). Check her out closely. Let us know...
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Post by pipgerb on May 7, 2006 0:56:16 GMT -8
She uis still wet but is running around a bit more.When my mum comes out the bath I will tyr and pick her up in the gerbil proof room.I thought if you holded her tail it will come off
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Post by whitmoregirl on May 7, 2006 1:03:44 GMT -8
Don't pick her up by the tail
If she's skittish holding the base will restrain her - you have to support her entire body in your hands.
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